Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA476
2007-03-02 14:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toVZCZCXRO3597 OO RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #0476/01 0611447 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021447Z MAR 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1179 RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC//PA RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 7862 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2242 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1702 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 5778 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 5524 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2146 RUEUITH/DET 1 39LG ANKARA TU RHMFIUU/USDOCO 6ATAF IZMIR TU RHMFIUU/39OSS INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 523 IZMIR TU RHMFIUU/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 522 INCIRLIK AB TU RUEUITH/AFLO ANKARA TU
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000476
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
JCS PASS J-5/CDR S. WRIGHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007
In Today's Papers
Erdogan-Buyukanit Clash over Iraq
Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman, Yeni Safak
and others report the Turkish General Staff (TGS) said in a
statement yesterday the views expressed by Chief of General Staff
Yasar Buyukanit in a press conference in Washington last month were
"not personal," but rather "the institutional views of the Turkish
armed forces," contradicting comments by Prime Minister Erdogan.
Erdogan has said on Thursday that the remarks were the "personal"
s TalaQrriyet, Milliyet, Radi`ni Safak and
others `gan phoned the Iraqi President
Talabani to wish him a speedy recovery after he was taken to a
hospital in Jordan. Sources quoted Talabani as telling Erdogan that
he believed that problems would be resolved by joint efforts of
Turkey and Iraq.
Erdogan also called the Iranian President Ahmadinejad to discuss
current political developments in the region. Papers comment the
Iraqi and Iranian leaders' support was important for Turkey on the
eve of a possible gathering of Iraq's foreign ministers in Istanbul
in April. Meanwhile, sources told Cumhuriyet and Zaman special Iraq
envoy Oguz Celikkol will represent Turkey at the March 10 meeting to
be held in Baghdad at ambassadorial level.
Former President Evren Suggests Division of Turkey into States
All papers report most Turkish politicians reacted negatively to
comments by former president Kenan Evren, who led the 1980 military
coup, that Turkey should be divided into semi-autonomous provinces,
saying such a plan would endanger the country's unity and security.
Turkey should adopt the "state system," Evren announced earlier this
week, saying that it is possible to divide the country into eight
states, namely Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Erzurum, Diyarbakir,
Eskisehir, and Trabzon. Cumhuriyet says on page one Evren speaks
like "a US spokesman," reporting Ali Topuz, a senior figure in the
main opposition CHP administration, said Evren has done everything
the US has asked for, "including a military takeover." Deputy Prime
Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said "loosening the unitary structure in
Turkey will not bring any good."
Editorial Commentary: Iraqi Oil; PKK in the Political Process
Fatih Altayli, comments on Iraq's oil law in the mainstream Sabah:
"According to this draft law, an independent expert commission will
be able to audit the agreements the Kurdish administration signs;
however, the final decision will be made by the Kurdish
urkey's main Kurdish party] deputy chair
Aysel Tugluk stressed that the 'PKK should be given the chance to
participate in politics under the condition that it does not
interfere with the unitary state structure.' A significant number
of Kurdish politicians cannot make a political decision without
getting jailed PKK leader Ocalan's approval. Indeed, they cannot
even announce the possibility that they might run as independent
candidates until Ocalan reportedly gives such an instruction. This
proves that the PKK already is involved in legal and democratic
politics."
ANKARA 00000476 002 OF 003
Papers: US 'Corrects' Rice's 'Kurdistan Gaffe'
Hurriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman, Yeni Safak and
others report State spokesman Sean McCormack said in response to a
press question, the word "Kurdistan" used by Secretary Rice was
"reference to a geographical area." On Tuesday, Rice had described
the PKK during testimony at the Senate Appropriations Committee as a
terrorist group operating "on the border between Turkey and
Kurdistan," drawing reactions in Turkey. McCormack said "the border
is between Turkey and Iraq." Opposition CHP lawmaker Ali Topuz told
a press conference yesterday that Secretary Rice has revealed "her
true intentions": "The US Greater Middle East project has been
given a kick-off. A Kurdish state is to be formed in northern Iraq
as a prelude to an independent Kurdistan on land from Turkey, Iraq,
Syria, and Iran."
Ankara Reacts to Cyprus-France Agreement
Milliyet and Zaman report according to a deal signed Monday between
France and Greek Cyprus, France will be able to use air and naval
bases in south Cyprus and will execute joint military exercises with
the Greek Cypriots. Frenchwould jeopardize stability and
security in the eastern Mediterranean, disrupting efforts for a
comprehensive resolution under the UN.
TV Highlights
NTV (6 a.m.)
Domestic News
- The Ankara prosecutor has launched an investigation into the
Kurdish party DTP convention held earlier this week in Ankara.
- Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of Turkey-EU joint parliamentary
commission, said Kurdish parties should be represented in the
Turkish parliament.
- A prosecutor in Ankara has demanded four "life without parole"
sentences for each of the defendants Alparslan Arslan, Osman
Yildirim, Ismail Sagir and Erhan Timuroglu, suspects involved in
attacks against the Council of State (Danistay) and daily
Cumhuriyet, for attempts of "destroying the constitutional order"
and "intentionally committing murder."
- The PKK's chief Abdullah Ocalan has been poisoned in jail in
Turkey, his lawyers told the press in Rome on Thursday, asking the
UN to dispatch a medical team to investigate.
Ocalan's defense team showed the results of tests indicating the
presence of toxic metals in the Kurdish leader's hair. Turkish
Justice Ministry denied claims, saying Ocalan has no serious health
problem.
- Turkey's leading business forum TUSIAD urged the EU to set a
target date, January 1, 2014, for Turkey's full membership, saying
this would be a positive psychological impulse for the country.
International News
- NATO exercises in the Aegean were cancelled when Turkey said
Greece was not abiding by a Lausanne Treaty provision for the
demilitarization of Aegean islands. Greece said the annulment
infringed on its sovereign rights.
- The EU Commission has asked the Greek Cypriot administration to
remove the barricades blocking Ledra Street through the buffer zone
in the southern part of the island.
ANKARA 00000476 003 OF 003
- Officers advising the US commander, General David Petraeus, in
Baghdad have warned they have six months to win the war in Iraq or
face a Vietnam-style collapse.
- Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg said
illegal interrogation methods and torture are "routine" in Chechnya.
- Republican Senator John McCain officially announced he will run
for president in 2008.
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
JCS PASS J-5/CDR S. WRIGHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007
In Today's Papers
Erdogan-Buyukanit Clash over Iraq
Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman, Yeni Safak
and others report the Turkish General Staff (TGS) said in a
statement yesterday the views expressed by Chief of General Staff
Yasar Buyukanit in a press conference in Washington last month were
"not personal," but rather "the institutional views of the Turkish
armed forces," contradicting comments by Prime Minister Erdogan.
Erdogan has said on Thursday that the remarks were the "personal"
s TalaQrriyet, Milliyet, Radi`ni Safak and
others `gan phoned the Iraqi President
Talabani to wish him a speedy recovery after he was taken to a
hospital in Jordan. Sources quoted Talabani as telling Erdogan that
he believed that problems would be resolved by joint efforts of
Turkey and Iraq.
Erdogan also called the Iranian President Ahmadinejad to discuss
current political developments in the region. Papers comment the
Iraqi and Iranian leaders' support was important for Turkey on the
eve of a possible gathering of Iraq's foreign ministers in Istanbul
in April. Meanwhile, sources told Cumhuriyet and Zaman special Iraq
envoy Oguz Celikkol will represent Turkey at the March 10 meeting to
be held in Baghdad at ambassadorial level.
Former President Evren Suggests Division of Turkey into States
All papers report most Turkish politicians reacted negatively to
comments by former president Kenan Evren, who led the 1980 military
coup, that Turkey should be divided into semi-autonomous provinces,
saying such a plan would endanger the country's unity and security.
Turkey should adopt the "state system," Evren announced earlier this
week, saying that it is possible to divide the country into eight
states, namely Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Erzurum, Diyarbakir,
Eskisehir, and Trabzon. Cumhuriyet says on page one Evren speaks
like "a US spokesman," reporting Ali Topuz, a senior figure in the
main opposition CHP administration, said Evren has done everything
the US has asked for, "including a military takeover." Deputy Prime
Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said "loosening the unitary structure in
Turkey will not bring any good."
Editorial Commentary: Iraqi Oil; PKK in the Political Process
Fatih Altayli, comments on Iraq's oil law in the mainstream Sabah:
"According to this draft law, an independent expert commission will
be able to audit the agreements the Kurdish administration signs;
however, the final decision will be made by the Kurdish
urkey's main Kurdish party] deputy chair
Aysel Tugluk stressed that the 'PKK should be given the chance to
participate in politics under the condition that it does not
interfere with the unitary state structure.' A significant number
of Kurdish politicians cannot make a political decision without
getting jailed PKK leader Ocalan's approval. Indeed, they cannot
even announce the possibility that they might run as independent
candidates until Ocalan reportedly gives such an instruction. This
proves that the PKK already is involved in legal and democratic
politics."
ANKARA 00000476 002 OF 003
Papers: US 'Corrects' Rice's 'Kurdistan Gaffe'
Hurriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman, Yeni Safak and
others report State spokesman Sean McCormack said in response to a
press question, the word "Kurdistan" used by Secretary Rice was
"reference to a geographical area." On Tuesday, Rice had described
the PKK during testimony at the Senate Appropriations Committee as a
terrorist group operating "on the border between Turkey and
Kurdistan," drawing reactions in Turkey. McCormack said "the border
is between Turkey and Iraq." Opposition CHP lawmaker Ali Topuz told
a press conference yesterday that Secretary Rice has revealed "her
true intentions": "The US Greater Middle East project has been
given a kick-off. A Kurdish state is to be formed in northern Iraq
as a prelude to an independent Kurdistan on land from Turkey, Iraq,
Syria, and Iran."
Ankara Reacts to Cyprus-France Agreement
Milliyet and Zaman report according to a deal signed Monday between
France and Greek Cyprus, France will be able to use air and naval
bases in south Cyprus and will execute joint military exercises with
the Greek Cypriots. Frenchwould jeopardize stability and
security in the eastern Mediterranean, disrupting efforts for a
comprehensive resolution under the UN.
TV Highlights
NTV (6 a.m.)
Domestic News
- The Ankara prosecutor has launched an investigation into the
Kurdish party DTP convention held earlier this week in Ankara.
- Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of Turkey-EU joint parliamentary
commission, said Kurdish parties should be represented in the
Turkish parliament.
- A prosecutor in Ankara has demanded four "life without parole"
sentences for each of the defendants Alparslan Arslan, Osman
Yildirim, Ismail Sagir and Erhan Timuroglu, suspects involved in
attacks against the Council of State (Danistay) and daily
Cumhuriyet, for attempts of "destroying the constitutional order"
and "intentionally committing murder."
- The PKK's chief Abdullah Ocalan has been poisoned in jail in
Turkey, his lawyers told the press in Rome on Thursday, asking the
UN to dispatch a medical team to investigate.
Ocalan's defense team showed the results of tests indicating the
presence of toxic metals in the Kurdish leader's hair. Turkish
Justice Ministry denied claims, saying Ocalan has no serious health
problem.
- Turkey's leading business forum TUSIAD urged the EU to set a
target date, January 1, 2014, for Turkey's full membership, saying
this would be a positive psychological impulse for the country.
International News
- NATO exercises in the Aegean were cancelled when Turkey said
Greece was not abiding by a Lausanne Treaty provision for the
demilitarization of Aegean islands. Greece said the annulment
infringed on its sovereign rights.
- The EU Commission has asked the Greek Cypriot administration to
remove the barricades blocking Ledra Street through the buffer zone
in the southern part of the island.
ANKARA 00000476 003 OF 003
- Officers advising the US commander, General David Petraeus, in
Baghdad have warned they have six months to win the war in Iraq or
face a Vietnam-style collapse.
- Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg said
illegal interrogation methods and torture are "routine" in Chechnya.
- Republican Senator John McCain officially announced he will run
for president in 2008.
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON